books.google.com - Uncovers how the Office of National Drug Control Policy uses and misuses statistical evidence.This book critically analyzes claims made by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the White House agency of accountability in the nation’s drug war. Specifically, the book examines six editions...https://books.google.com/books/about/Lies_Damned_Lies_and_Drug_War_Statistics.html?id=dwGpsNjv_1kC&utm_source=gb-gplus-shareLies, Damned Lies, and Drug War Statistics

Uncovers how the Office of National Drug Control Policy
uses and misuses statistical evidence.

This book critically analyzes
claims made by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the White
House agency of accountability in the nation’s drug war. Specifically, the book
examines six editions of the annual National Drug Control Strategy
between 2000 and 2005 to determine if ONDCP accurately and honestly presents
information or intentionally distorts evidence to justify continuing the war on
drugs.

“Lies, Damned Lies, and Drug War Statistics is
surprisingly easy to read, and Robinson and Scherlen have done a huge favor not
only to critics of current drug policy by compiling this damning critique of
ONDCP claims, but also to anyone interested in how data is compiled, presented,
and misused by bureaucrats attempting to guard their domains. It should be
required reading for members of Congress.” — Drug War Chronicle Book
Review

Matthew B. Robinson and Renee G. Scherlen uncover the many
ways in which ONDCP manipulates statistics and visually presents that
information to the public. Their analysis demonstrates a drug war that
consistently fails to reduce drug use, drug fatalities or illnesses associated
with drug use; fails to provide treatment for drug dependent users; and drives
up the prices of drugs. They conclude with policy recommendations for reforming
ONDCP’s use of statistics, as well as how the nation fights the war on
drugs.

“The authors have performed a valuable service to our democracy
with their meticulous analysis of the White House ONDCP public statements and
reports. They have pulled the sheet off what appears to be an official policy of
deception using clever and sometimes clumsy attempts at statistical
manipulation. This document, at last, gives us a map of the truth.” — Mike Gray,
author of Drug Crazy: How We Got into This Mess and How We Can Get
Out

“Robinson and Scherlen make a valuable contribution to
documenting how ONDCP fails to live up to basic standards of accountability and
consistency.” — Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance

About the author (2010)

At Appalachian State University, Matthew B. Robinson is Associate
Professor of Criminal Justice, and Renee G. Scherlen is Associate
Professor of Political Science. Robinson is the author of several books,
including Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice,
Second Edition.

Bibliographic information

Title

Lies, Damned Lies, and Drug War Statistics: A Critical Analysis of Claims Made by the Office of National Drug Control Policy